Physicians frequently recommend taking extra calcium and vitamin D later in life to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. However, the truth is regular physical activity is the single most important factor in preventing this disease.
Now researchers at the University of Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Academy have discovered that physical exercise at an early age may impact your risk of osteoporosis later in life. In their study, scientists found that bone development and density is improved and fractures reduced by increased physical activity in your 20s.
Osteoporosis is a concern for the aging Baby Boomer generation in Utah and affects more than 55,000 Utahns according to the Utah Department of Health.
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by loss of bone mass over time, which results in increased risk of fracture. You risk for osteoporosis is greater if you are female and over age 50, male and over age 70, Asian or Caucasian.
The current study, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research on January 13, 2012 evaluated more than 800 Swedish men. Researchers concluded that those who increased their levels of physical activity between the ages of 19 and 24 also increased their bone density in the hips, lumbar spine, arms and lower legs. On the contrary less active men during the same time period had significantly more brittle bones.
Strength training is particularly important to strengthen bones. By stressing your bones, you encourage them to develop more mass and strength, and therefore reduce the risk of fracture.
Mattias Lorentzon, Director of doctoral studies at the Institute of Medicine, Gothenburg University, and co-author of the study, states, “These findings suggest that maintaining or, ideally, increasing physical activity can improve bone growth in our youth, which probably reduces the risk of fractures later on.”
This article is based on materials provided by the Universityof Gothernburg.
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